NELSON BURTON FROM STOKESLEY AND WHITBURN ARRESTED IN NORTHERN IRELAND AFTER TWO-WEEK MANHUNT

In a significant development in a long-standing case of sexual offenses, Nelson Burton, a 75-year-old man with ties to both Stokesley and Whitburn, has been apprehended in Northern Ireland following an extensive two-week manhunt. Burton, originally from Hillfield Close, Seamer, near Middlesbrough, had been a fugitive since he failed to appear at Newcastle Crown Court on April 13, 2017, where he was due to be sentenced for a series of serious sexual crimes.

His absence from court prompted an urgent public appeal issued by Northumbria Police, who sought assistance from the community in locating him. The police investigation intensified over the subsequent weeks, culminating in his arrest by the Police Service of Northern Ireland just yesterday. Burton’s capture marks the end of a tense search that spanned multiple regions and involved considerable law enforcement resources.

Burton faces a lengthy prison sentence, with a total of 15 years for attempted rape, 12 counts of indecent assault on a female, and four counts of gross indecency involving a child. The child victim was only six years old when the abuse began, and the crimes spanned several years, causing profound trauma. Additionally, Burton received an extra year for breaching his bail conditions by failing to appear in court as scheduled.

In April 2017, Burton was sentenced in his absence to a total of 16 years—comprising 15 years for the sexual offenses and an additional year for skipping bail. His disappearance from the legal proceedings began on March 17, 2017, shortly after he was found guilty of multiple charges related to the abuse of a young girl. The case had garnered significant media attention, partly due to Burton’s well-known status within the traveller community and his extensive travel history across the UK.

Details of the case reveal that the abuse started in 1990 when the girl was just six years old. She first disclosed the abuse at age seven, leading her to confront Burton at his traveller site in Selby. However, Burton denied the allegations, dismissing her as a liar. Despite her accusations, the abuse persisted over the next six years, finally ceasing in 1996. The victim later reported the crimes to police in 2013, which initiated a lengthy investigation. It took nearly two years for authorities to locate Burton and bring him in for questioning.

Burton, known by the nickname 'Wit-Wat,' was charged with 17 offenses, including attempted rape, indecent assault, and gross indecency. Throughout the trial, Burton maintained his innocence, denying all charges, which compelled the victim to give detailed evidence in court. His criminal activities and associations extended across various locations, including Whitburn, Selby, Edinburgh, Perth, Market Harborough, Doncaster, Filey, Coventry, Solihull, and Stratford, reflecting a pattern of extensive travel and evasion.

Following his arrest, Burton was released on conditional bail, with his sentencing scheduled for April 13 at Newcastle Crown Court. The case continues to resonate within the community, highlighting the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring justice for victims of sexual abuse and to apprehend offenders who attempt to evade justice by fleeing across regions and borders.